![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.powder7.com\/ski-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/summerapps.jpg\")
OpenSnow<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat it’s for: <\/strong>Weather forecasts <\/p>\n\n\n\nHighlights: <\/strong>Hourly forecasts for precise locations (and elevations) \/\/ Forecasts for precipitation, lightning, temp, air quality, radar, wind\u2014even wildfire smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy we use it: <\/strong>That’s right, your favorite forecast tool during the winter is just as good in the summer. Just like ski resorts and backcountry ski zones, you can use towns, high peaks, or even choose a custom location for fully customized forecasts. A couple of our favorite features that are pretty unique are the lightning and air quality forecasts. The mountains here in Colorado are rife with afternoon thunderstorms, so it becomes extremely handy if you want to know if “afternoon thunderstorms” means more like 5 pm, or more like right after noon. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAllTrails<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat it’s for: <\/strong>Hiking, Trail Running, Biking<\/p>\n\n\n\nHighlights: <\/strong>GPS navigation \/\/ Route inspiration \/\/ Detailed route breakdowns and data \/\/ Trip tracking and recording \/\/ Community<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy we use it: <\/strong>Given how universal walking is, AllTrails has become a nearly ubiquitous resource for people seeking foot-based adventures. Its reservoir of routes and trip\/hike ideas runs deep. And with 50 million users, you can count on finding other people’s opinions about the trail you’re considering. Whether or not you should believe them is part of the fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.powder7.com\/ski-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/recgovdemo.jpg\")
Recreation.gov is your gateway to permitted adventures and reservations.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nRecreation.gov<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat it’s for: <\/strong>Camping and Adventure Reservations<\/p>\n\n\n\nHighlights: <\/strong>Permit lotteries \/\/ Camping reservations \/\/ Red tape (permits, tickets, etc) \/\/ Campground details<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy we use it: <\/strong>For people who seek primo adventures\u2014specifically, the ones that require permits or reservations\u2014Recreation.gov is essential. Use it to enter lotteries for high-demand activities or make reservations at high-demand or limited-access campgrounds, huts, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAlso check out:<\/strong> Reserve America<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\nGaia GPS<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat it’s for: <\/strong>Navigation and Route Planning\/Tracking<\/p>\n\n\n\nHighlights: <\/strong>Extensive map overlays \/\/ Saved routes \/\/ Route data and tracking \/\/ Weather and terrain features<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy we use it:<\/strong> There’s a reason a slew of adventure companies offer backcountry navigation classes with Gaia as the centerpiece. It’s a high-powered download with a long list of features and integrations. From satellite overlays and slope angle shading to public land maps and precise route tracking and archiving, Gaia’s applications reach far. A few of us use Gaia throughout the winter for backcountry ski route planning, so it becomes our primary mapping software in the off season too. But beware, this app is a part of the Outside network with a notable use fee. That does give you access to Outside TV and Trailforks, which handy as a mountain biker<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAlso check out: <\/strong>OnX Backcountry<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Best](\"https:\/\/www.powder7.com\/ski-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/gaiademo.png\")
Gaia GPS offers high-powered features and versatility. PHOTO: Gaia GPS<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCampendium<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat it’s for: <\/strong>Camping<\/p>\n\n\n\nHighlights: <\/strong>Dispersed camping \/\/ National + State parks and forests \/\/ RV and tent campground info \/\/ Free + paid camping<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy we use it: <\/strong>If you’re rolling into a new area and need somewhere to sleep, you want to be able to find possibilities easily and quickly. Campendium serves up deep options, including paid and free sleep sites. The app also provides the latest news on policies, regulations, logistics and all the other boring (but essential) pieces of the trip planning puzzle. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAlso check out: <\/strong>FreeCampsites<\/a>, The Dyrt<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nRide with GPS<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat it’s for: <\/strong>Cycling<\/p>\n\n\n\nHighlights<\/strong>: Desktop and mobile app mapping \/\/ Route finding + planning \/\/ Water + Bathroom + Trailhead POIs <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy we use it: <\/strong>If adventuring on your bike\u2014dirt or pavement\u2014is how you like to spend your summer, this is a great mapping tool. You can utilize their open-source heatmaps and routes other cyclists have put together for inspiration. Or, use the route planning tool. This app is free with paid add-ons, but a vast majority of the features can be done with the free version. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAmerican Whitewater<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat it’s for: <\/strong>River Information<\/p>\n\n\n\nHighlights: <\/strong>Real-time river flow data \/\/ Route data and descriptions \/\/ Put-in and Take-out details <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy we use it<\/strong>: Whether you’re looking for a chill stretch of flat water to stand up paddleboard with your dog or some rowdy Class IV kayaking, American Whitewater offers a deep library of river information. An interactive map allows you to pick a section of river suitable to your abilities, and real-time stream flow data helps you know what to expect when you get there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.powder7.com\/ski-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/awdemo.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nGeocaching<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat it’s for: <\/strong>The world’s largest treasure hunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHighlights: <\/strong>Local data and maps \/\/ Geocache types and accessibility<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy we use it: <\/strong>Looking for a rainy-day activity, or one for the whole family? Geocaching is a real-life treasure hunt\u2014and if you aren’t familiar with it, you’ll be shocked at how many geocaches could be hidden near you at this very moment. Grab a bike or set out on foot, and link up several caches in a morning. <\/p>\n\n\n\nKayak<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat it’s for<\/strong>: Travel<\/p>\n\n\n\nHighlights: <\/strong>Fare aggregation \/\/ Flights metasearch \/\/ Explore tool \/\/ Hotels and rental cars \/\/ Price tracking<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy we use it: <\/strong>Plenty of fare aggregator and metasearch tools exist on the internet. Kayak remains one of the best. You’ll have a hard time beating the flight prices it finds, and the Explore tool allows you to search for destinations based on timing, price, etc. So when you find yourself needing to escape before back-to-school shopping hits, you’ll want to use Kayak to make it happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Highlights: <\/strong>Hourly forecasts for precise locations (and elevations) \/\/ Forecasts for precipitation, lightning, temp, air quality, radar, wind\u2014even wildfire smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why we use it: <\/strong>That’s right, your favorite forecast tool during the winter is just as good in the summer. Just like ski resorts and backcountry ski zones, you can use towns, high peaks, or even choose a custom location for fully customized forecasts. A couple of our favorite features that are pretty unique are the lightning and air quality forecasts. The mountains here in Colorado are rife with afternoon thunderstorms, so it becomes extremely handy if you want to know if “afternoon thunderstorms” means more like 5 pm, or more like right after noon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What it’s for: <\/strong>Hiking, Trail Running, Biking<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights: <\/strong>GPS navigation \/\/ Route inspiration \/\/ Detailed route breakdowns and data \/\/ Trip tracking and recording \/\/ Community<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why we use it: <\/strong>Given how universal walking is, AllTrails has become a nearly ubiquitous resource for people seeking foot-based adventures. Its reservoir of routes and trip\/hike ideas runs deep. And with 50 million users, you can count on finding other people’s opinions about the trail you’re considering. Whether or not you should believe them is part of the fun.<\/p>\n\n\n What it’s for: <\/strong>Camping and Adventure Reservations<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights: <\/strong>Permit lotteries \/\/ Camping reservations \/\/ Red tape (permits, tickets, etc) \/\/ Campground details<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why we use it: <\/strong>For people who seek primo adventures\u2014specifically, the ones that require permits or reservations\u2014Recreation.gov is essential. Use it to enter lotteries for high-demand activities or make reservations at high-demand or limited-access campgrounds, huts, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also check out:<\/strong> Reserve America<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n What it’s for: <\/strong>Navigation and Route Planning\/Tracking<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights: <\/strong>Extensive map overlays \/\/ Saved routes \/\/ Route data and tracking \/\/ Weather and terrain features<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why we use it:<\/strong> There’s a reason a slew of adventure companies offer backcountry navigation classes with Gaia as the centerpiece. It’s a high-powered download with a long list of features and integrations. From satellite overlays and slope angle shading to public land maps and precise route tracking and archiving, Gaia’s applications reach far. A few of us use Gaia throughout the winter for backcountry ski route planning, so it becomes our primary mapping software in the off season too. But beware, this app is a part of the Outside network with a notable use fee. That does give you access to Outside TV and Trailforks, which handy as a mountain biker<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also check out: <\/strong>OnX Backcountry<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n What it’s for: <\/strong>Camping<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights: <\/strong>Dispersed camping \/\/ National + State parks and forests \/\/ RV and tent campground info \/\/ Free + paid camping<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why we use it: <\/strong>If you’re rolling into a new area and need somewhere to sleep, you want to be able to find possibilities easily and quickly. Campendium serves up deep options, including paid and free sleep sites. The app also provides the latest news on policies, regulations, logistics and all the other boring (but essential) pieces of the trip planning puzzle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also check out: <\/strong>FreeCampsites<\/a>, The Dyrt<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n What it’s for: <\/strong>Cycling<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights<\/strong>: Desktop and mobile app mapping \/\/ Route finding + planning \/\/ Water + Bathroom + Trailhead POIs <\/p>\n\n\n\n Why we use it: <\/strong>If adventuring on your bike\u2014dirt or pavement\u2014is how you like to spend your summer, this is a great mapping tool. You can utilize their open-source heatmaps and routes other cyclists have put together for inspiration. Or, use the route planning tool. This app is free with paid add-ons, but a vast majority of the features can be done with the free version. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What it’s for: <\/strong>River Information<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights: <\/strong>Real-time river flow data \/\/ Route data and descriptions \/\/ Put-in and Take-out details <\/p>\n\n\n\n Why we use it<\/strong>: Whether you’re looking for a chill stretch of flat water to stand up paddleboard with your dog or some rowdy Class IV kayaking, American Whitewater offers a deep library of river information. An interactive map allows you to pick a section of river suitable to your abilities, and real-time stream flow data helps you know what to expect when you get there. <\/p>\n\n\n What it’s for: <\/strong>The world’s largest treasure hunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights: <\/strong>Local data and maps \/\/ Geocache types and accessibility<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why we use it: <\/strong>Looking for a rainy-day activity, or one for the whole family? Geocaching is a real-life treasure hunt\u2014and if you aren’t familiar with it, you’ll be shocked at how many geocaches could be hidden near you at this very moment. Grab a bike or set out on foot, and link up several caches in a morning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What it’s for<\/strong>: Travel<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights: <\/strong>Fare aggregation \/\/ Flights metasearch \/\/ Explore tool \/\/ Hotels and rental cars \/\/ Price tracking<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why we use it: <\/strong>Plenty of fare aggregator and metasearch tools exist on the internet. Kayak remains one of the best. You’ll have a hard time beating the flight prices it finds, and the Explore tool allows you to search for destinations based on timing, price, etc. So when you find yourself needing to escape before back-to-school shopping hits, you’ll want to use Kayak to make it happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAllTrails<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Recreation.gov<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gaia GPS<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Campendium<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ride with GPS<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
American Whitewater<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nGeocaching<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kayak<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n